Veterinary
compounding presents both unique challenges and unusual opportunities for the
specialized compounding pharmacist. The
pharmacist working closely with the Veterinarian can solve many of the common
problems they encounter. Compounding
provides the patient with individualized therapy, which includes:
Standard Methods of Delivery
Dosage Forms tailored to the animal
Strength matched to the animal’s size
Flavorings to improve compliance, and
Formulas adjusted to fit special needs
We all know by
experience that pets are notoriously difficult to medicate. Compounding with its variety of dosages and
forms of delivery is especially effective in the treatment of animals. For example, by compounding a transdermal gel
that can be applied to the delicate tissue in a cat’s ear where it can be
easily absorbed, eliminates the painful struggle with a pill.
How are Medications Compounded?
Starting with the pure bulk chemicals, a specially
trained compounding pharmacist can prepare almost any medication into any
dosage form desired: suspensions, creams, gels, ointments, capsules, troches,
solid dosage forms, powdered formulations and other special preparations, to
meet the unique needs of each animal-pets, exotics, or zoo animals. Here are just a few examples:
Medications
that are not commercially available
Discontinued
or out-of-stock medications
Combination
products
Easy
to give flavored dosage forms
Dosage
forms in correct size and strength, or
Create
your own formulations
Examples of
custom-made veterinary medications and dosage forms:
Sugar-free medications for diabetic pets
Transdermal anti-motion sickness medicine
that can be applied to the ear
Hard-to-find medicines for urinary
incontinence
Protective medicated coatings for wounds
or stitches (coatings which are difficult to lick off)
Concentrated solutions for birds and
reptiles
Special dosage forms for horses and larger
animals
Good-tasting tuna, liver, marshmallow and
many other flavored suspensions
Chocolate/peanut butter suspension for
hyper insulin in ferrets
Stool softener in beef flavored gelatin
balls
Good tasting marshmallow, liver, beef,
chicken or fish flavored suspensions
Custom strength medications for seizures,
diabetes, hyperthyroidism, parasitic infections, appetite stimulation, etc.
Antidotes/treatments for accidental animal
poisoning
Transdermal, anti-inflammation gel for
torn ligaments
“Hairball” remedy for cats
Custom shampoo to treat “rain-rot,” a
fungal infection in horses
Flavored Medicine
The compounding
pharmacist, working closely with the veterinarian, can prepare medicine into
easy-to-give flavored dosage forms that animals will devour, whether the pet is
a cat, dog, ferret, bird, or snake. Various flavors are available to each animal, i.e. cats like tuna and
dogs like beef. Other examples
include: grape, apple, chicken, tuna, beef, strawberry, and watermelon.
It is very
rewarding when helping a pet get well becomes a pleasant time for the owner and
pet, rather than a stressful experience.
Solving Dosage Problems
Animals are
individuals and unique. They come in
different shapes and sizes, and as a result, not all commercially available
medicines are appropriate for your pet. Veterinarians do not always have access to dosage forms and strengths
that are needed to treat a particular pet. Working with the compounding pharmacist the veterinarian can prescribe a
formulation that is exactly right for your pet’s size and condition. For example– Dosages can be very tricky with
dogs– an antibiotic that works for an 80-pound Golden Retriever is far too much
for a six-pound Yorkie to handle.
Commercially Unavailable Medicine
From time to
time, a manufacturer will discontinue a medication used in veterinary
applications. When that medication has
worked well for the animal, a compounding pharmacist can obtain the pure bulk
pharmaceutical and prepare a prescription for the discontinued product– at a
dosage strength and dose form appropriate for that pet’s specific needs.
If you have a
pet that is sick or has a chronic
illness and you have difficulty with administering medication, have your
veterinarian give us a call. A caring
veterinarian working closely with a compounding pharmacist can result in the
improved health and happiness of your pet.
ICP - Providing quality solutions with maximum benefits for a healthier you.
